April 24, 2003

LAS VEGAS - Regular-season co-champions UNLV and San Diego State led the way with three singles players apiece on the 2003 All-Mountain West Conference Women's Tennis Team, which was announced by the league Thursday.

Lady Rebel senior Paulina Janus became only the second player in program history to be named first team all-league three times in a career, joining four-time honoree Marianne Vallin (1994-97). Janus sports an 18-12 overall record, including 9-6 at the No. 1 singles spot this spring.

Another repeater on the team was sophomore Gyorgyi Zsiros who stands 17-9 overall and 46-16 in less than two full seasons in college tennis.

Rounding out the trio was sophomore Tracie Chong who leads the 28th-ranked squad in victories this season, currently boasting a 24-9 season mark and 48-18 career record. Chong twice was named MWC player of the week this season en route to a 14-5 mark in dual matches.

No UNLV player made the list in doubles.

SDSU standout Silvia Tornier was named MWC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and Laura Nigro of Air Force won the inaugural MWC Sportsmanship Award. No freshman of the year was selected this season and the coach of the year will be announced after Saturday's championship match.

UNLV opened play at the MWC tournament with a 4-0 win over Wyoming Thursday morning.

2003 MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE WOMEN'S TENNIS AWARDS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:   Silvia Tornier, San Diego StateSPORTSMANSHIP AWARD:  Laura Nigro, Air ForceCOACH OF THE YEAR:    To Be Announced Saturday
ALL-MWC SINGLES
Laura Nigro           Air ForceHadley Macfarlane     BYUDominique Reynolds    BYUSanja Hansson         Colorado StateMaja Kovacek          New MexicoSandy Lukowski        New MexicoLindsey Hedberg       San Diego StateKatalina Romero       San Diego StateSilvia Tornier        San Diego StateTracie Chong          UNLVPaulina Janus         UNLVGyorgyi Zsiros        UNLV
ALL-MWC DOUBLES
Laura Nigro/Gina Black              Air ForceLeeza Klempner/Dominique Reynolds   BYUSandy Lukowski/Maja Kovacek         New MexicoTiffany Roberston/Michelle Hiebrink New MexicoKatja Karrento/Katalina Romero      San Diego StateSilvia Tornier/Indra Erichsen       San Diego State